Diet

Many pets seen in veterinary practice today are considered to be obese or overweight. As with people this puts them at an increased risk of developing a number of conditions such as heart disease, arthritis and diabetes among others.

Most pedigree breeds have an optimum weight range that can be used as a guideline when weighing your dog. Within these ranges, bitches will normally fall at the lower end of the range and dogs at the upper end. However, as there is such a variation in size of dogs these days, even within the same breed, that as well as researching the optimum weight for your breed it is also important to apply a more subjective assessment and consider your dog’s appearance. The best way to assess your dog is to look for a waistline. If you look from above, you should be able to see your dog’s body dip inwards as you get to the end of the ribs. If your dog’s body is a straight line from one end to the other, or is rounded then this is normally an indication that they can afford to lose some weight. In addition, you should be able to feel their ribs without having to push in too hard (although you should not be able to see them). You may also notice that your dog’s exercise tolerance has reduced, although if this is the case, it is worth getting your dog checked by a vet as there are a number of medical conditions that can also result in exercise intolerance.  

Feeding

Many people find it hard to understand how their pet can be overweight as they seem to be fed very little. It is important to consider how many treats your dog gets, including little titbits such as your last bit of toast in the morning, a little drink of milk or cold tea, and treats when they come back to you on a walk. If you are feeding a complete diet, that is exactly what it is – complete. It contains all the energy and nutrients that your dog needs in a 24 hour period, so if you are giving other treats and titbits in addition to this you will need to reduce the amount of food you give them at meal times. It is also important to read the feeding guidelines on your food packaging. Don’t forget that these guidelines are a maintenance rate so if your dog is overweight you need to feed them for the weight that your dog should be rather that what he or she currently is. Finally, if he or she has been neutered, don’t forget that this can affect their metabolism and so you can afford to feed slightly below the recommended guidelines as these are set for un-neutered dogs. If you feel that your dog appears hungry or is scavenging for food, you can bulk out their meals with raw or cooked vegetables (not potatoes), which will make them feel full without adversely affecting their weight.

Exercise

Exercise is an extremely important factor in weight control. Your pet may not eat large amounts of food, but if they are sedentary in nature and prefer to sleep rather than go for a long walk then they will not be burning off any calories. If they cannot tolerate long walks without struggling and becoming breathless, try starting with frequent short walks and gradually increasing the length as they become more tolerant.

Type of food

There are many conflicting opinions on what types of diet should be fed to dogs, from raw meat to whatever food you eat. The most important point to consider if you are feeding your dog a homemade diet is that you ensure that it contains the correct balance of nutrients, as a lack or excess of certain nutrients can result in illness. A good quality complete diet is balanced to ensure that your dog gets all the nutrients it needs in the right quantities. Complete foods are normally available in a wet (tinned) or dry (biscuit) format and are equally acceptable to feed on their own or in combination with each other. Dry food does have some advantages over wet in that it can help to prevent or slow down the build up of tartar and the development of gingivitis (although the most effective way of achieving this is to brush your dogs teeth with specialised dog toothpaste which is available from your veterinary surgery). Dry foods are also advantageous in the summer months as if not eaten immediately, it will not go off in the heat. It is worth bearing in mind that wet foods are approximately 80% water so if you change your dog from wet food to dry, or vice versa, you should expect their drinking habits to change accordingly. It is essential that your dog has access to fresh water at all times.  

Changing foods

When changing your dogs food to a different type or brand, it is a good idea to do it gradually over a period of 3-4 days by mixing the two foods together and slowly reducing the quantity of old food whilst increasing the new food. This should allow your dog’s digestive tract time to adjust to the change in water and fat content etc. of the food and should help to prevent any stomach upsets.  

Bloat

Bloat or gastric torsion (a.k.a. gastric dilatation volvulus) is an extremely painful and life threatening condition that certain breeds, particularly large breed, deep chested dogs, are prone to. It is where the stomach fills up with gas that cannot escape, often because the stomach has twisted, as in the case of a torsion. Signs that your dog is suffering from bloat or torsion include, panting, unable to settle, trying to vomit unproductively, abdominal pain and a swollen abdomen. If your dog is showing these signs it is essential that you contact your veterinary surgery for an emergency appointment immediately.

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